Resurgent Wigan stun Spurs

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London - Wigan beat Tottenham Hostpur 1-0 at White Hart Lane on Saturday to continue their climb away from the relegation zone with a second-half toe-poke from Ben Watson.

A week after beating West Ham this was Wigan's third league win of the season, and Tottenham's third defeat.

With three at the back and with a fast passing game Roberto Martinez's resurgent Wigan were dominating Spurs when they took the lead during a goalmouth scramble on 56 minutes as Watson poked the ball over Brad Friedel's goalline.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas reacted by taking off Jermaine Defoe and replacing him with Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor, albeit to howls of derision from the home fans.

After winning this fixture 9-1 three seasons ago Tottenham could be fairly expected to do well against their northern opponents, but despite their strong early-season form Spurs were frustrated here, the home fans booing at full-time.

They had started the match brightly with striker Clint Dempsey seeing his second-minute shot deflected wide, while a Jan Vertonghen volley also flew narrowly wide for the Londoners before Wigan settled and started to out-pass them.

Having sold Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart in the close season and with Moussa Dembele and Scott Parker already out injured, Tottenham's midfield options were further weakened when Sandro limped off after 23 minutes.

Wigan had a great chance to open the scoring late in the first half when Arouna Kone played a one-two with Shaun Maloney only to see Friedel make a brilliant save from his flashing volley.

This was further vindication of Spurs coach Villas-Boas once again selecting the American ahead of French international stopper and summer recruit Hugo Lloris.

Some desperate late attacking from the home side kept Wigan's Ali Al-Habsi, solid all afternoon, busy in the Wigan goal, but the Latics held firm to earn a deserved three points.

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